Exactly one month after opening the tournament against each other in Sydney, Australia and New Zealand meet again with the biggest prize in international rugby league on the line. The Kangaroos survived an early scare from the Kiwis in Round 1 before both sides navigated difficult paths through the tournament, setting up a World Cup Final that many predicted from the outset.
Australia is aiming for a fourth consecutive World Cup title, while New Zealand is chasing its first Paul Barrière Trophy since its famous triumph in 2008. With Kalyn Ponga back in the Kiwis side and Australia’s spine hitting form at the perfect time, the stage is set for another chapter in one of rugby league’s greatest rivalries.
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Women’s Rugby League World Cup Final
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Men’s Rugby League World Cup Final
- Australia vs New Zealand → australia-vs-new-zealand-rlwc-final-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Sunday, November 15, 7:35pm AEDT at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Grant Atkins | Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Australia: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Tom Trbojevic, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Patrick Carrigan, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Jacob Preston, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Ethan Strange, 15. Keaon Koloamatangi, 16. Cameron Murray, 17. Reuben Cotter, 18. Latrell Mitchell, 19. Sam Walker, 20. Blayke Brailey, 21. Lindsay Smith, 22. James Tedesco
New Zealand: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine, 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison, 18. Keano Kini, 19. Phoenix Crossland, 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 21. Scott Sorensen, 22. Leo Thompson
Match Preview
Following Australia’s 24-22 defeat of New Zealand in Sydney’s opener, both sides have recorded victories over Fiji and the Cook Islands before the Kiwis eliminated Tonga and the Kangaroos knocked out Samoa in the semi-finals.
Kevin Walters has named the same 19-player squad that smashed Samoa 44-12 in Sydney on Sunday. Patrick Carrigan has been named to start at prop, with Keaon Koloamatangi on the bench, but they may switch late as they did in the semi-final.
Stacey Jones has made one change to the side that overcame Tonga 34-10 in Newcastle on Saturday night, with Ronaldo Mulitalo returning from suspension on the wing. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad drops to the reserves as a result.
The tournament opener between the two teams was an instant classic, with Australia scraping home thanks to a late Jack Bostock try. Of Australia’s five tries that night, two came from intercepts, two from kicks, and one from a break down their own end. New Zealand have tightened their defence since then and will be keen to avoid a repeat.
Australia’s forwards found their best form in the tournament in the semi-final against Samoa, withstanding the early onslaught before overpowering them and setting up their victory. A similar performance against the powerful Kiwi forwards will put them on the right track for a fourth consecutive World Cup triumph.
New Zealand have the best defensive record in the tournament, conceding just 10 tries in their four games. Of some concern is the way they’ve conceded them, with four coming from intercepts, two from kicks, three from length-of-the-field attacking plays, and one from a scrum play. If they can minimise these tries, they will go a long way towards victory.
It’s been 13 long years since New Zealand last reached a World Cup Final, a 34-2 loss to Australia at Manchester in 2013. Australia are looking for their fourth consecutive World Cup title and 13th overall, having won nine of the 10 tournaments held since 1975. The only one they failed to win was 2008, when New Zealand upset them 34-20 in the Final at Suncorp Stadium.
Australia has won 105 of the 142 matches they’ve played against New Zealand, including 10 of the 12 since 2016. New Zealand’s last win over Australia was their record 30-0 demolition in the 2023 Pacific Championship final. New Zealand have won four of their past five matches against Australia at Suncorp Stadium, including the finals of the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations.
This game could go either way. Australia will enter as favourites at home, but New Zealand will be confident of repeating history from 18 years ago.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Australia by 2.
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